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Old petrol can
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Pat Russell



Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 131

PostPosted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:03 pm    Post subject: Old petrol can Reply with quote

Can anyone tell me how old this can would be ? A friend bought it for me for £12 ..is that a reasonable price?Thanks.

[img][IMG]h
http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss114/patpurple/P1010089.jpg[/IMG]

[img][/img]
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michael1703



Joined: 22 Jul 2009
Posts: 349
Location: suffolk

PostPosted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

late 1920's to mid 1930's i think

ive got one but not that colour

£12 is good, they go for £30-£45 at some country shows ive been to
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47p2



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are going to use it make sure there is no rust inside
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Pat Russell



Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 131

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:48 am    Post subject: Thank you Reply with quote

michael1703 wrote:
late 1920's to mid 1930's i think

ive got one but not that colour

£12 is good, they go for £30-£45 at some country shows ive been to


Thanks ,another bargain..I'm still waiting to get the car to go with it .I've decide on a two seater Bullnose with dickie seat now.

So what is the name ..a type of petrol or the name of a garage?
Pat
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Pat Russell



Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 131

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:50 am    Post subject: All ok for rust Reply with quote

47p2 wrote:
If you are going to use it make sure there is no rust inside



Yes my friend checked for this it does not leak but your advice all adds to my knowledge base.

Thanks for your interest. Pat
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traction39



Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 399
Location: South Wales

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pratt was one of the original founders of Standard Oil. Which we now know as ESSO..ssss...ooooo!!

Assuming it is the same family of course...
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roverdriver



Joined: 18 Oct 2008
Posts: 1210
Location: 100 miles from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is that 'Three Shillings' embossed on the top? Is 3 bob a reasonable price for a gallon of petrol in 1930 or was the can for some other fluid?
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Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

3/-d would be the retail price of contents (2 gallons) at the time of sale. It might be possible to date it fairly accurately from that.

Most people don't realise that these cans were actually used to deliver petrol to garages for re-sale in the days before underground tanks were common. They were delivered in bulk and I think they were probably on an exchange basis rather like LPG cylinders today. So much for todays maximum storage of 2 gallons of petrol above ground.

I remember my parents talking about this practice at the family garage ceasing (for them), when they installed a 500 gallon underground tank in 1918. I wonder how long underground tanks last these days? That was in use right up to 1982 when the premises were demolished to make way for a new by-pass! In spite of the fire brigade latterly testing it every six months trying to find a reason to condemn it!
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mikeC



Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1771
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire

PostPosted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:53 am    Post subject: Re: Thank you Reply with quote

[quote="Pat RussellI'm still waiting to get the car to go with it .I've decide on a two seater Bullnose with dickie seat now.

Pat[/quote]

Are you sure, Pat? The dickie will not be so suitable for carrying your dog
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They're usually dated on the base, if you have a peer underneath.

Rick
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gerry snelling



Joined: 04 Jan 2009
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:52 am    Post subject: petrol can Reply with quote

the 3 shillings was the deposit on the can
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Jim.Walker



Joined: 27 Dec 2008
Posts: 1229
Location: Chesterfield

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That sounds reasonable Gerry. I remember the story my parents told about unloading a cart full of petrol cans and having to carry them one or two at a time to the old stable where they were stored for use and resale. It may well be that my memory (or theirs) about the price marked on the can was for the contents was faulty.
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james.stringer



Joined: 16 Feb 2009
Posts: 27

PostPosted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pratts was the brand name of the petrol - later to become Esso.

The 3/- (Three Shillings) was the 'deposit' on the can.

The date of manufacture is usually embossed on the base of the can: i.e: 06.31 (June 1931).

The colour should be a mid green, the word 'Pratts' was never originally picked out, but they do look better picked out, Gold or black are good.

The price your friend paid (£12) was good, and from the photograph the can looks to be in a very good condition. (No dents). Check for pin holes by simply putting the can's opening to your eye and shining a light around the outside. You should not be able to see 'the sky at night' if it is OK. - Oh yes, if you do try this please make sure the can is empty of any old (or new for that matter) petrol -'cause you don't want it in your eye!
Jim Stringer (Vintage Austin Register).
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